Life Sciences Grade 11 P2 November Mock 2026 QP (Eng)

Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 11 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 11 LIFE SCIENCES P2 NOVEMBER EXAMINATION 2026 (MOCK) MARKS: 150 TIME: 2½ hours This question paper consists of 13 pages. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 2 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions. 1. Answer ALL the questions. 2. Write ALL the answers in the ANSWER BOOK. 3. Start the answers to EACH question at the top of a NEW page. 4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper. 5. Present your answers according to the instructions of each question. 6. Do ALL drawings in pencil and label them in blue or black ink. 7. Draw diagrams, tables or flow charts only when asked to do so. 8. The diagrams in this question paper are NOT necessarily drawn to scale. 9. Do NOT use graph paper. 10. You may use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass, where necessary. 11. Round off ALL calculations to TWO decimal places, where necessary. 12. Write neatly and legibly. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 3 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock SECTION A QUESTION 1 1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the question numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.11 D. 1.1.1 Which ONE of the following is a characteristic of ALL viruses? A They have a cell wall. B They can only reproduce inside a living host cell. C They contain ribosomes. D They are killed by antibiotics. 1.1.2 Bread mould (Rhizopus) obtains its food by … A photosynthesis. B ingesting food particles into a food vacuole. C feeding on the cells of a living host only. D secreting enzymes onto dead organic matter and absorbing the products. 1.1.3 Malaria is caused by a … A protist that is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. B virus that is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. C bacterium that is transmitted through contaminated water. D fungus that is transmitted through the air. 1.1.4 Which ONE of the following plant groups has vascular tissue and produces seeds, but does NOT produce flowers? A Bryophytes B Pteridophytes C Gymnosperms D Angiosperms 1.1.5 In which plant group is the gametophyte the dominant generation? A Angiosperms B Gymnosperms C Pteridophytes D Bryophytes 1.1.6 An animal is radially symmetrical, diploblastic and has a blind gut. To which phylum does it belong? A Cnidaria B Porifera C Platyhelminthes D Annelida Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 4 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.1.7 In a mark-recapture study, 40 lizards were captured, marked and released. A week later 50 lizards were captured, of which 10 were marked. What is the estimated size of the lizard population? A 8 B 80 C 200 D 2 000 1.1.8 Oxpeckers feed on ticks that they remove from the skin of buffaloes. The buffaloes benefit because the ticks are removed. This relationship is an example of … A commensalism. B mutualism. C parasitism. D competition. 1.1.9 The phase of a sigmoid (logistic) growth curve in which the birth rate is equal to the death rate is the … A lag phase. B exponential phase. C transitional phase. D equilibrium phase. 1.1.10 Consider the following human activities: (i) Burning of fossil fuels (ii) Deforestation (iii) Planting of indigenous trees (iv) Keeping large herds of cattle Which ONE of the following combinations contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect? A (i), (ii) and (iv) only B (i), (iii) and (iv) only C (ii) and (iii) only D (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) (10 x 2) (20) 1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write only the term next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.8) in the ANSWER BOOK. 1.2.1 A micro-organism that causes disease 1.2.2 The haploid generation in the life cycle of a plant that produces gametes 1.2.3 The transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species 1.2.4 The fluid-filled body cavity that develops within the mesoderm Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 5 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.2.5 The maximum number of individuals of a population that an environment can sustain 1.2.6 The gradual change in the species composition of a community on bare rock where no soil existed before 1.2.7 The enrichment of water with nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates, which leads to the rapid growth of algae 1.2.8 A facility where seeds are stored to conserve plant species for the future (8 x 1) (8) 1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions in COLUMN I applies to A ONLY, B ONLY, BOTH A AND B or NONE of the items in COLUMN II. Write A only, B only, both A and B or none next to the question numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.3) in the ANSWER BOOK. COLUMN I COLUMN II 1.3.1 Have a through gut with a mouth A: Annelida and an anus B: Platyhelminthes 1.3.2 Reproduce by means of spores A: Bread mould B: Ferns 1.3.3 Density-independent factor(s) A: Disease B: Competition for food (3 x 2) (6) 1.4 The diagram below represents a longitudinal section through a flower. A D B C G F E 1.4.1 Identify part: (a) A (1) (b) B (1) (c) F (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 6 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 1.4.2 Give the LETTER of the part that: (a) Develops into a seed after fertilisation (1) (b) Produces pollen grains (1) 1.4.3 Is this flower wind-pollinated or insect-pollinated? (1) 1.4.4 Give ONE visible reason for your answer to QUESTION 1.4.3. (1) 1.4.5 State ONE function of part E. (1) (8) 1.5 A small group of springbok was introduced into a fenced game reserve. The graph below shows the growth of the springbok population over 20 years. Growth of a springbok population in a game reserve 700 D 600 Number of springbok C 500 400 300 B 200 100 A 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Time (years) [Data: examiner’s own] 1.5.1 Name the type of population growth curve shown in the graph. (1) 1.5.2 Identify phase: (a) B (1) (b) D (1) 1.5.3 What is the carrying capacity of the game reserve for springbok? (1) 1.5.4 Explain why the population grows slowly during phase A. (2) 1.5.5 State TWO environmental factors that prevent the population from increasing above the carrying capacity. (2) (8) TOTAL SECTION A: 50 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 7 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock SECTION B QUESTION 2 2.1 The diagram below represents the structure of a bacterium. C D A E B F 2.1.1 Identify part: (a) D (1) (b) E (1) 2.1.2 Give TWO visible reasons why this organism is classified as a prokaryote. (2) 2.1.3 State TWO ways in which bacteria are useful to humans. (2) (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 8 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.2 An investigation was done to compare the effect of four different antibiotics on the growth of a bacterium. The procedure was as follows: • A sterile agar plate was evenly covered with the bacterium. • Four paper discs of the same size were each soaked in the same concentration of a different antibiotic (P, Q, R and S). • A fifth disc (W) was soaked in sterile distilled water. • The discs were placed on the agar plate, the lid was taped closed and the plate was kept at 25 °C for 2 days. • The diameter of the clear zone around each disc, where no bacteria grew, was then measured. P Q clear zone W R S bacteria growing on agar The results are shown in the table below. DISC DIAMETER OF CLEAR ZONE (mm) P 24 Q 10 R 0 S 16 W 0 [Data: examiner’s own] 2.2.1 Identify the: (a) Independent variable (1) (b) Dependent variable (1) 2.2.2 State the purpose of disc W. (1) 2.2.3 Which antibiotic was the most effective against this bacterium? Give a reason for your answer. (2) 2.2.4 To which antibiotic is this bacterium resistant? (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 9 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.2.5 Explain why a patient must complete the full course of antibiotics, even if he/she feels better after a few days. (3) 2.2.6 State TWO safety precautions that should be taken when working with bacteria in this investigation. (2) (11) 2.3 Read the extract below. CHOLERA OUTBREAK After heavy rains, a broken sewage pipe in a small town leaked into the river from which many families collected their drinking water. Within a week, several people were admitted to the local clinic with severe watery diarrhoea and vomiting. Tests showed that they were infected with Vibrio cholerae, the micro-organism that causes cholera. Patients were treated with oral rehydration solution and, in serious cases, with a drip. Health workers advised the families to boil all drinking water until the pipe had been repaired. [Summary compiled by the examiner (fictional town)] 2.3.1 Name the group of micro-organisms to which Vibrio cholerae belongs. (1) 2.3.2 Describe how cholera spread in this town. (2) 2.3.3 Explain why cholera may cause death within a short time if it is not treated. (2) 2.3.4 Name ONE treatment, other than the one mentioned in the extract, that can be used for cholera. (1) 2.3.5 State TWO measures, other than boiling water, that the community could take to prevent the spread of cholera. (2) (8) 2.4 The diagram below shows the possible evolutionary relationships between four groups of plants (A to D). Each number shows where a new characteristic first appeared. A B C D 3 KEY 2 1 = vascular tissue 2 = seeds 1 3 = flowers and fruit common ancestor Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 10 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 2.4.1 Identify group: (a) A (1) (b) C (1) 2.4.2 Give the LETTER(S) of the group(s) that: (a) Depend on water for fertilisation (TWO groups) (2) (b) Produce seeds that are enclosed in a fruit (1) 2.4.3 Name the dominant generation in the life cycle of the plants in group B. (1) 2.4.4 Explain why the plants in group A are short and grow in damp places. (2) 2.4.5 Explain how seeds have helped plants to survive on land. (2) (10) 2.5 The diagrams below represent cross-sections through the body plans of three different animals. Y KEY ectoderm mesoderm endoderm Z DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2 DIAGRAM 3 2.5.1 Identify: (a) Layer Y (1) (b) Cavity Z (1) 2.5.2 Give the number of the DIAGRAM (1, 2 or 3) that represents an animal that is: (a) Diploblastic (1) (b) Triploblastic and acoelomate (1) 2.5.3 Name the phylum that has the body plan shown in DIAGRAM 1 and the phylum that has the body plan shown in DIAGRAM 2. (2) 2.5.4 Explain TWO advantages of having the cavity labelled Z. (4) (10) 2.6 Tabulate TWO differences between wind-pollinated flowers and insect-pollinated flowers. (5) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 11 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock QUESTION 3 3.1 Grade 11 learners used the mark-recapture method to estimate the size of the population of garden snails at their school. The procedure was as follows: • On day 1, they captured 60 snails and marked each shell with a small dot of non-toxic paint. • The marked snails were released at the places where they had been found. • One week later, they captured 75 snails, of which 15 were marked. 3.1.1 Calculate the estimated size of the snail population. Show ALL your working. (3) 3.1.2 State THREE assumptions that must be made for this estimate to be accurate. (3) 3.1.3 Explain why the learners waited one week before they captured the second sample. (2) 3.1.4 Explain why the paint used to mark the snails must be non-toxic. (1) (9) 3.2 The graph below shows the population sizes of black-backed jackals and rock dassies in a nature reserve over 12 years. The jackals feed on the dassies. Populations of jackals and dassies in a nature reserve 140 Number of animals per 100 ha Dassies Jackals 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Time (years) [Data: examiner’s own] 3.2.1 Name the predator in this relationship. (1) 3.2.2 In which year was the dassie population the largest? (1) 3.2.3 Explain the decrease in the jackal population between year 5 and year 8. (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 12 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.2.4 Explain the increase in the dassie population between year 6 and year 9. (2) 3.2.5 State TWO density-dependent factors, other than predation, that could affect the dassie population. (2) (8) 3.3 The table below shows the composition of the household waste collected by a municipality in one month. TYPE OF WASTE PERCENTAGE (%) Food and garden waste 38 Paper and cardboard 22 Plastic 18 Glass 12 Metal 10 [Data: examiner’s own] 3.3.1 Draw a pie chart to represent the data in the table. Show ALL your calculations. (7) 3.3.2 Suggest TWO ways in which households could reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill sites. (2) 3.3.3 Explain how food waste in landfill sites contributes to global warming. (3) (12) 3.4 Read the extract below. A DAM IN TROUBLE A dam near a farming town supplies water to the town and is used for fishing. In recent years the water has turned green and smelly every summer. Fertilisers wash into the dam from the surrounding farms, and partly treated sewage from an overloaded sewage works flows into the river that feeds the dam. Large numbers of dead fish are often found floating in the dam. Thick mats of water hyacinth, an alien invasive plant from South America, now cover large parts of the water surface. A weevil that feeds only on water hyacinth has been released to control the plant. [Summary compiled by the examiner from various sources] 3.4.1 Name TWO sources of nutrients that enter the dam, according to the extract. (2) 3.4.2 Describe how the nutrients lead to the death of the fish. (4) 3.4.3 Explain how the water hyacinth reduces the amount of water available in the dam. (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Life Sciences/P2 13 Hlayiso/Mock 2026 NSC Mock 3.4.4 Explain why the weevil is an example of biological control. (2) (10) 3.5 Read the extract below. GROWING MORE MAIZE Maize is the staple food of millions of South Africans. Many commercial farmers plant only maize on the same large fields year after year. To protect the crop, they spray it with pesticides several times in a season. Some farmers now plant genetically modified (GM) Bt maize. This maize contains a gene from a soil bacterium which allows the plant to produce a protein that kills the stalk borer, an insect pest that damages maize plants. Farmers who plant Bt maize spray less pesticide and often harvest more maize per hectare. [Summary compiled by the examiner from various sources] 3.5.1 Explain what is meant by food security. (2) 3.5.2 Name the farming practice in which only one crop is planted on large fields year after year. (1) 3.5.3 Explain ONE disadvantage of the farming practice named in QUESTION 3.5.2. (2) 3.5.4 Explain how planting Bt maize may improve food security. (2) 3.5.5 Explain how the excessive use of pesticides can harm the environment. (2) 3.5.6 State TWO concerns that people have about genetically modified crops. (2) (11) [50] TOTAL SECTION B: 100 GRAND TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved